Industry Trends

Talent Talk: Manufacturing and the New Roaring Twenties

Mar 30, 2021

The manufacturing sector is poised to experience a tremendous post-pandemic rebound, but a shortage of skilled labor could throw a spanner in the works.

EVs and ICE Vehicles Will Need to Share the Road for a Long Time

Mar 30, 2021

A total switchover to electric cars is a long way off. One of the many challenges for manufacturers is profitability, pure and simple.

Business Is Booming in China . . . Again

Mar 30, 2021

China saw 2.1% growth in 2020, an amazing accomplishment given that the economy was shut down for nearly six months. And this year, the World Bank projects 7.9% growth for the "world’s factory."

Environmentalists Focus on ‘Toxic’ Plastics, But Who Speaks for the Trees?

Mar 29, 2021

Making plastics from wood is trending, pushed by the desire to create biodegradable plastic with the mechanical strength of fossil-based plastics. But is it wise to harvest trees that take decades to grow and serve as carbon sinks?

Skepticism Mounts over Utility of Biodegradable Plastics

Mar 26, 2021

Yes, these materials will degrade over time. But how long will it take? And under what environmental conditions?

Additive Manufacturing Continues to Grow Despite Pandemic, Reports Wohlers

Mar 26, 2021

Although the rate of growth declined compared with previous years, the additive manufacturing industry expanded 7.5% last year, reaching a value of $12.8 billion.

John Oliver Talks Sh** . . . I Mean, Plastics

Mar 23, 2021

On HBO’s "Last Week Tonight," John Oliver devoted the main segment of the show to the plastics industry. Guess who got the short end of the stick?

Mars Wrigley Partners with Danimer Scientific to Roll Out Compostable Packaging

Mar 22, 2021

Skittles packaged in Danimer’s Nodax PHA material, engineered to break down in industrial and backyard compost units, will soon be on US store shelves.

Talent Talk: Salary Inflation for Plastics Professionals on the Horizon

Mar 22, 2021

There is currently a supply-and-demand imbalance in many parts of the economy, including in the labor pool of experienced plastics professionals.

Series of Unfortunate Events Hobbles Honda and Toyota

Mar 19, 2021

Honda is suspending North American auto production for one week, and Toyota will scale back operations at its US and Mexico plants. Chip shortage and pandemic- and weather-related disruptions are blamed.

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